And it's not uncommon to make 'lose my Christmas weight' a new year resolution.

But one Deal mum said it was receiving some harsh truths on Christmas Day which finally inspired her to lose weight.

Callie Carden, 36, said she had battled with her weight since gaining six stone following the birth of her two daughters.

She said: "It had been a difficult time since the birth of my first daughter 17 years ago.

"Like most new mums I really struggled to lose my baby weight and it felt as if I tried endless diets, only to end up putting the weight I had lost back on.

"Eventually I did manage to lose some of the weight I had gained, and in 2012 I had lost four stone through a combination of walking and healthy eating.”

Callie Corden said she was 'appalled' when she realised how much weight she had put on

'My own health was the last thing on my mind'

But towards the end of 2012 the problem escalated again, when Callie's youngest daughter started showing signs of anxiety and challenging behaviour.

After a four-year battle for answers she was diagnosed with Autism in 2016.

At the same time, Callie was struggling with the effects of fibromyalgia, a chronic disorder that causes muscle pain and fatigue – something which Callie had previously put down to working long 12-hour days at a care home.

She said: “During those four years my own health was the last thing on my mind as looking after my daughter was my main priority.

"I was exhausted all the time due to my fibromyalgia, and even when I started medication to deal with the symptoms, these just led to me gaining even more weight.

Delighted with her weightloss, Callie Carden said 'I feel like I’m a better mum'

"I did a lot of comfort eating at this time, which made me depressed, but I had to focus on my children rather than worrying about how I looked.

"My coping mechanism was to throw away the scales and to try not to think about it. I ended up putting back on all the weight I had lost and more.”

Callie said the catalyst for change came in Christmas 2016, when several people - including her parents - commented on how much weight she had put on.

She said: “I knew I had put on weight but didn’t know exactly how much so I decided to find out.

"I was appalled when I saw I weighed 15st 4lbs, the heaviest I had ever weighed in my life. I knew I had to do something.”

Callie dropped an incredible five dress sizes

How did she do it?

Callie spotted the Terri Ann 123 Diet Plan on Facebook and began the three carefully constructed stages to help weightloss.

The first stage, the 10-day boost, sees users limit their intake of starchy carbohydrates and boost their intake of protein, vegetables and healthy fats to kick start weight loss.

In stage 2, fruit is reintroduced and intake of starchy carbohydrates boosted before stage 3, which aims to keep weight loss moving by limiting starchy carbohydrates once again, but allowing users to still enjoy fruit.

She said the changes in her diet were difficult at first.

Before the diet, Callie used to eat huge family meals which were mainly made up of carbohydrates.

She said: “I was eating huge plates of pasta and bolognese with garlic bread – anything that was convenient and quick, and of course, lots of sweet things like chocolate and biscuits.

"I ate more when I was stressed which wasn’t healthy.”

But she says following the plan saw her eating habits change dramatically.

She added: “When I first started the plan, I found it difficult to get my head around but after a while it did get easier and after nine months, I had lost 4st. This spurred me on and in 2018 I finally reached my target weight. I’ve kept it off ever since."

'I feel like a better mum'

She added: “The best part of the plan is that real meals are encouraged, as well as lots of protein, vegetables and fruit so I felt like I was making positive changes without depriving myself or feeling like I was eating rabbit food.”

After 18 months Callie hit her target weight of 10 stone and now weighs a healthy 9 stone 11lbs and is a size 8.

She added: “I’m fitting into clothes I never thought I’d wear again!

"I feel like I’m a better mum to my children and it’s even helped me get my fibromyalgia under control as well.

Proud of her transformation, Callie Carden said 'my energy levels are so much better'

"I feel so much happier and content, and my energy levels are so much better – I’ve even managed to go back to work, and now work as a midday supervisor at a primary school.

“Following the diet has helped me get back control of my life – I truly feel like I’ve gained back my confidence and strength. I would recommend it to anyone.”